Secrets: Denise Welch was relieved when she found text messages from her husband's girlfriend

Denise Welch knew her marriage of 24-years to Tim Healy was over when she discovered he had been seeing someone else.

However, instead of being angry at the news, she was left feeling amused and relieved that he had found someone else.

The 54-year-old discovered text messages from Tim's secret girlfriend after going through his phone to find a contact number he needed.

She told The Mirror: 'I waited for the information to hit me, for a surge of jealousy to sweep over me, but there was nothing.'

She added: 'I was seeing someone and Tim was seeing someone; it was no longer a case of a discreet one-night stand occasionally. Was there really any point in staying together'

Although she questioned their relationship she waited a few weeks later to speak to Tim about the messages but he denied having girlfriend.

Eventually, after a few drinks he admitted that the woman he had been seeing was called Jo and she owned a cafe.

Denise decided to text Jo and told her that she didn't mind her and Tim seeing each other but their children were the most important thing she cared about.

The following day Jo text her back and wanted to meet up to discuss the situation over a glass of wine but Denise wasn't ready to forge a friendship with her.

Call it a day: Denise said that she sent a text to Tim's secret girlfriend after finding flirty messages from her in his phone

She told Tim what she had done and told him that he should be with Jo if she makes him happy and nurtures him.

'Tim and I finally had the conversation at the Hemmel, our family house in the North East, where we go for Christmas most years. 'I really think we should go our separate ways, don’t you' I said as he lit my cigarette for me,' Denise said.

It's over: Denise told the nation on Loose Women that she was splitting with Tim after 24-years of marriage

He agreed, and on 6 February she announced the end of her marriage on Loose Women before breaking down hysterically.

Since their marriage ended Denise has met Jo, and Tim has met Denise's fiance Lincoln, and the new couples have been getting on well.

Moving on: Tim Healy, pictured earlier this year, enjoying a pint in the Kings Arms pub in Wilmslow with his new girlfriend, Joan Anderton

Bright future: Denise is now looking forward to her wedding to Lincoln Townley, who is 14 years her junior